Flames move to top of Karratha Basketball Association ladder with important win over Northern Spirit Suns

Despite a late fightback from Northern Spirit Suns, the Flames Division 1 Grey have moved into top spot on the Karratha Basketball Association ladder in the first round after the summer break. In the round 14 clash at the Karratha Leisureplex on February 4 the Flames got out to an early lead, the margin 17-9 at half-time. Northern Spirit Suns maintained their composure in the second half, cutting the deficit to just two points before the Flames reignited, scoring the final points to close out the game 31-27. Flames’ Jaksen Crowe-St Jack’s 10-point display was vital to the victory, which propelled his side into top spot as the league heads towards the pointy end. Brody Van Nieuwburg was the stand-out player for the Suns, managing nine points — a third of his team’s total. The victory moved Flames Division 1 Grey two points clear of Northern Spirit Warriors with four rounds to go. Elsewhere in the league, the Northern Spirit Warriors destroyed Coral Trouts 76-29 with the game never looking close. Joel Lekias scored 28 points while his Warriors teammate Joshua Friis scored 23. In the final game Trouts overpowered Bandits 41-22. Meanwhile in the women’s competition, a 16-point haul from Jordi Perry powered Trouts Blue to a win over table-toppers Flames Division 1 Black 32-25. A back-and-forth tussle between Trouts White and Cyclone Development went down to the wire, with Trouts White edging out Cyclone 26-25. Round 15 of the KBA tips off at the Karratha Leisureplex on Thursday.